Creating the ultimate Halloween party song list is harder than convincing Dracula to try a tanning booth. One feels compelled to include the low hanging musical fruit of songs Like “Monster Mash” and “Ghostbusters” because of their wide appeal. Then there’s the more obscure songs that aren’t necessarily crowd pleasing, dance floor stompers but really capture the spooky essence of All Hallows’ Eve. Consider Tom Waits’ chilling “Black Box Theme” or the foreboding “Eyes Of A Stranger” by 80s one hit wonders, The Payolas.

The following two lists feature a wide range of spooky songs spanning many eras. The first list has songs for early part of the party, while your invited ghouls and goblins arrive. Listening to these while they canoodle and enjoy cocktails will get them in the mood for the fun to follow. Below that are the songs that will blast your shindig into another dimension and have spirits haunting your dance floor until the wee hours!

Ever feel out of place? Rod Serling capitalized on feeling weird with his now classic TV show long before it inspired this song.

L’il Devil- The Cult

Ian Astbury and his hard rocking bandmates revel in the joy of loving a she-devil.

Witchcraft- Frank Sinatra

Yes, it’s a Foxtrot, deal with it. Magic broomstick not required.

Everyday Is Halloween- Ministry

Years before Ministry got all Industrial they released this catchy song that eventually went viral and became an anthem for Goths and Darkwavers. The song had such lasting appeal it was even re-released in 2010, 26 years after it’s initial debut. Lyrics:

“Well I live with snakes and lizardsand other things that go bump in the night‘Cuz to me everyday is HalloweenI have given up hiding and started to fight”

White Wedding- Billy Idol

A driving beat, Stevie Stevens bristling guitar and Billy Idol’s snarling vocals make this Gothpunk anthem the perfect song for otherworldly dancing and unleashing dark desires.

Highway To Hell- AC/DC

“We’re on our way to the promised land…” and it doesn’t include any pearly gates. Brian Johnson and company celebrate their descent into Hades on their way to an inevitable hot tub party with Beezlebub.

E.T. (Futuristic Lover)- Katy Perry

Katy makes getting probed by an alien sound like fun, regardless of what you saw on the SciFi channel.

Bad Moon Rising- Creedence Clearwater Revival

Don’t say you weren’t warned- John Fogerty’s upbeat bayou infused Swamp Rock belies the message here. But hey, if armageddon is coming you might as well live it up!

Superstition- Stevie Wonder

Co-written by guitarist Jeff Beck, the song features an addictive beat, grinding clarinet riff and dual horn section that turned it into a huge hit for Stevie in 1972. Believing in things you don’t understand has never been more funky.

Strangelove- Depeche Mode

Danceable detachment from 80s TechnoGoth gods. On this song they manage to make falling in love sound like as scary as Frankenstein on a bad hair day.

Devil Inside- INXS

Aussie rockers exercise their inner demons on the dance floor with this high energy ode to sin.

Psycho Killer- Talking Heads

Just because you’re paranoid doesn’t mean they’re NOT out to get you. This anxiety ridden song is one reason why David Byrne is the Norman Bates of Rock.

The Time Warp- Rocky Horror Picture Show

“It’s astounding!…” It’s just a jump to the left… and a kick to the right. Garter belts are optional while dancing to the theme song of the biggest cult classic movie ever.

Thriller- Michael Jackson

A monster party mainstay… but do you remember how to do the Zombie Dance from the video?

Dead Man’s Party- Oingo Boingo

The grandaddy of Halloween songs. A possessed Danny Elfman sings like the beady eyed, ADHD kid down the block who got too much Ritalin.

Monster Mash- The Misfits

Frenetic Punk cover of the classic hit. Save this one for AFTER midnight to whip your ghoulish dancers into a frenzy.